89% of IT Leaders Fear AI-Powered Cyberattacks

Object First Survey finds growing concerns over data breaches from AI-driven hacking

Mar. 31, 2026 at 11:40am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A new survey from Object First, a leading cybersecurity firm, has found that 89% of IT leaders are worried that AI-powered cyberattacks will lead to costly data breaches at their organizations. The survey of over 500 IT decision-makers across the U.S. revealed growing fears about the potential for advanced AI systems to be weaponized by hackers to bypass traditional security measures.

Why it matters

As AI and machine learning capabilities continue to advance, there are increasing concerns that these powerful technologies could be exploited by bad actors to launch more sophisticated and damaging cyberattacks. This survey highlights the urgent need for organizations to invest in robust AI-based security solutions to protect against emerging AI-powered hacking threats.

The details

The Object First survey found that the top concerns among IT leaders regarding AI-powered cyberattacks include data breaches (cited by 89% of respondents), ransomware (85%), and unauthorized access to sensitive systems (82%). Many respondents also expressed worries about the potential for AI-driven attacks to evade detection by traditional security tools. Over 70% of IT leaders said they plan to increase their cybersecurity budgets in the next 12 months to address these AI-related threats.

  • The Object First survey was conducted in February 2026.

The players

Object First

A leading cybersecurity firm that provides AI-powered threat detection and response solutions to enterprise customers.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“The rise of AI has created new and concerning vulnerabilities that cybercriminals are eager to exploit. Organizations must take proactive steps to fortify their defenses against these emerging AI-powered threats.”

— Samantha Chen, Chief Security Strategist, Object First

The takeaway

This survey underscores the urgent need for enterprises to invest in advanced AI-based cybersecurity solutions that can detect and defend against the growing threat of AI-powered hacking attacks. As AI capabilities continue to advance, organizations must stay vigilant and prioritize robust security measures to protect their critical data and systems.